The short answer: You can inform your landlord you want to live with an emotional support animal by giving them an ESA letter. You do not need to submit any other forms, though you can send the ESA letter together with a simple cover message if you wish. If you’re comfortable wit [...]
Emotional support animals (ESA) can provide significant mental and emotional benefits to individuals with certain mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Texas, individuals with disabilities have the right to live with their [...]
Yes, an emotional support animal can be left unattended at home for reasonable periods of time. In fact, it is quite common for ESA owners to leave their animals at home while they go to work, school, or run errands. Of course, no pet should be left at home for too long — every o [...]
Technically: No, it’s not essential.But: It’s still probably a better idea to disclose. Renters with emotional support animals (ESA) often face a quandary when signing a new lease, especially if they are moving to a no-pets building. Even though ESA owners are protected aga [...]
This article was last updated on October 20, 2023, to reflect the updates in ESA regulations Understanding the laws surrounding emotional support animals (ESA) can be tricky. Is an ESA a pet, or is it a service animal? The truth is that an ESA falls somewhere in between, which me [...]
What you need: A signed ESA letter from a NY licensed therapist or doctor. That’s it! With an ESA letter, your pet is protected as an ESA under both federal and New York law. What’s the status quo? If you’re in Brooklyn, you know that the cost of living in the borough can often b [...]
The short answer: Likely no, but there are times when a landlord can properly deny housing for a tenant’s ESA even if the tenant has an ESA letter. Example: a landlord can legally reject an ESA if the animal has caused significant property damage or there is evidence the animal i [...]
What does it mean? Some landlords do not have to comply with federal emotional support animal rules. The “Mrs. Murphy” exception exempts owner-occupied buildings with 4 or less units. An owner-occupied building may also be known as a live-in landlord. Where did it come from? "Mrs [...]
When to disclose: You are allowed to inform the landlord before or after you actually move in. It is not unusual for tenants to qualify for an ESA after signing a lease and moving in. Under HUD guidelines, landlords should consider a tenant’s ESA accommodation request no matter w [...]
No. Owners of emotional support animals do not have to pay pet deposits. ESA owners also do not have to pay any monthly pet fees. Did you pay a pet deposit when you moved in but later qualified for an emotional support animal? You may be entitled to a refund of the pet deposit. L [...]